Collapsible container for perishable goods

ABSTRACT

A collapsible container for perishable goods including: a rectangular frame; supporting members releasably connectable to the rectangular frame; and a bag downwardly housed into the rectangular frame. The bag is configured to accommodate the rectangular frame, which is supported by two supporting Π-shaped members connected to opposite sides of the frame by terminals.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to packaging, shipping and warehousing,and more specifically, to a stackable collapsible container forperishable goods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of container systems utilized to package perishable goodsare known in the art. The packaging of food products for shipment incompartmentalized containers presents several problems. The containersdesigned for shipping perishable goods should be cushioned to preventcontents from breakage. Such breakage results from impacts to thecontainers that inevitably occur during loading and unloading, and alsoduring transit on a vehicle. Along with cushioning the perishable foods,in terms of storing and transporting empty containers for perishablegoods, high degree of container collapsibility should be achieved. U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,820,268, 6,007,467, 6,080,096 and 6,513,703 disclosecollapsible carton boxes.

It should be emphasized that a step of converting each carton box fromcollapsed into operation position is sufficiently laborious.Specifically, this step includes at least 5 manipulations: onemanipulation corresponds to deploying the container from a flat positioninto a three-dimensional position and two manipulations correspond toupper and lower flaps.

Thus, there is a long-left and unmet need to provide a collapsiblecontainer for shoring and shipping characterized minimal labor requiredfor its assembling and disassembling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is hence one object of the invention to disclose a collapsiblecontainer for perishable goods. The aforesaid container comprises (a) arectangular frame; (b) supporting members releasably connectable to therectangular frame; and (c) a bag downwardly housed into the rectangularframe and configured for accommodating the perishable goods.

It is a core purpose of the invention to provide the rectangular framesupported by two supporting Π-shaped members connected to opposite sidesof the frame by means of terminals thereof.

Another object of the invention is to disclose the container havingcollapsed and assembled positions. The collapsed position ischaracterized by the supporting members nested within the frame. Theassembled position is characterized by the supporting membersmechanically perpendicularly connected to the underside of therectangular frame.

Another object of the invention is to disclose the bag rim mechanicallysecured to the perimeter of the rectangular frame such that the portionfor accommodating the goods is downwardly housed into the rectangularframe.

Another object of the invention is to disclose a rim portion bent overthe perimeter and mechanically secured to outer surface of the mainportion of the bag such that the portion for accommodating the goods isdownwardly housed into the rectangular frame.

Another object of the invention is to disclose the container comprisingstacking means having male and female connectors disposed on a topsurface of the rectangular frame and a lower surface of the supportingmember.

Another object of the invention is to disclose the supporting memberswhich are height-adjustable and comprise a plurality of partsstack-mounted end wise.

Another object of the invention is to disclose the container comprisinga safety net mounted underneath the bag. The safety net prevents the bagfrom rupture and the goods accommodated in the bag from spillage.

Another object of the invention is to disclose a method of storing andtransporting perishable goods. The aforesaid method comprising the stepsof: (a) providing a plurality of collapsible containers for perishablegoods; each container further comprising: (i) a rectangular frame; (ii)supporting members releasably connectable to the rectangular frame; and(iii) a bag downwardly housed into the rectangular frame and configuredfor accommodating the perishable goods; the rectangular frame issupportable by two supporting Π-shaped members connected to oppositesides of the frame by means of terminals thereof; (b) converting thecontainers from a collapsed position into an assembled position; (c)filling the assembled containers with the perishable goods; (d) stackingthe filled containers in a storage area or aboard; (e) storing ortransporting the perishable goods; (f) emptying the perishable goods outof the containers; and (g) converting the containers from the assembledposition into the collapsed position.

Another object of the invention is to disclose the step of stacking thecontainer comprising connecting male and female connectors disposed on atop surface of the rectangular frame and a lower surface of thesupporting member.

Another object of the invention is to disclose the method comprising astep of adjusting height of the supporting members by means of changinga number of parts which are stack-mounted end wise.

Another object of the invention is to disclose the method comprising astep of preventing the bag from rupture and the goods accommodated inthe bag from spillage by means of a safety net mounted underneath thebag.

Another object of the invention is to disclose container for perishablegoods. The aforesaid container comprises (a) a rectangular frame; and(b) legs releasably connectable to corners of said rectangular frame.The perishable goods are carried by two orthogonally placed sheets of aflexible material secured to opposite side elements of said frame.

Another object of the invention is to disclose each sheet secured tosaid rectangular frame by means of looping terminals of said sheetaround opposite side frame elements and welding said terminals back tosaid sheet.

Another object of the invention is to disclose the orthogonally areplaced sheets welded to each other.

Another object of the invention is to disclose a method of producing acontainer for perishable goods. The aforesaid method comprises the stepsof: (a) providing a rectangular frame; (b) providing two sheets of aflexible material; (c) securing said sheets to opposite side frameelements in an orthogonal manner; (d) providing legs connectable tocorners of said rectangular frame; and (e) connecting said legs to saidcorners of said rectangular frame.

Another object of the invention is to disclose the step of securing saidsheets to said rectangular frame comprising looping terminals of eachsheet around opposite side frame elements and welding said terminalsback to said sheet such that said sheet is configured for carrying saidperishable goods.

Another object of the invention is to disclose the method comprises astep of welding orthogonally placed sheets to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may beimplemented in practice, a plurality of embodiments is adapted to now bedescribed, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 is a schematic general view of a framework of the collapsiblecontainer;

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the container in an assembled position;

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b schematically illustrate bag securement to the frame;

FIG. 4 is a photograph of the container in a collapsed position;

FIG. 5 is a schematic general view of a framework provided with a safetynet;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a container with orthogonal sheets;

FIGS. 7-9 are schematic top views of the container; and

FIG. 10 is a photograph of the container with orthogonal sheets

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is provided, so as to enable any personskilled in the art to make use of the invention and sets forth the bestmodes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention.Various modifications, however, are adapted to remain apparent to thoseskilled in the art, since the generic principles of the presentinvention have been defined specifically to provide a collapsiblecontainer for perishable goods and a method of storing and shipping theperishable goods.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, showing a framework 100 of thecollapsible container for perishable goods. The framework 100 comprisesa rectangular frame 110 and Π-shaped supporting members 120 mechanicallyconnected underneath to the frame 110. The Π-shaped supporting membersere herein defined as having two opposing legs and a horizontalinterconnecting cross piece. The frame 110 is provided with slots (notshown) configured for receiving terminals of the Π-shaped supportingmembers 120 and reliably fixating in an assembled (operation) position.The frame 110 and supporting members 120 have mutually conformalstacking means 130 and 140, respectively. One of them is configured asmale connector and second as female.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, presenting a collapsible container 200in an assembled position. Specifically, a bag 230 is downwardly housedinto the rectangular frame 210 and configured for accommodating theperishable goods (not shown). The rectangular frame is supported byΠ-shaped members 220.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, presenting a bag placed ontothe rectangular frame 220.

In FIG. 3 a, the bag has a main portion 230 for accommodating the goodsin bulk and a rim portion 230 of the bag. The rim portion is bent overthe frame 210 and mechanically secured to outer surface 250 of the mainportion 230 of the bag. The portion 320 for accommodating the goods isdownwardly housed into the rectangular frame 310 such that goods to beloaded, stored or shipped within the portion 320 can be placed in itsinternal volume so formed.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 3b, the rim portion 240 is mechanically secured to the perimeter of theframe 210 (not shown). The bag can be of a rectangular cross-sectionenlarging from a bottom to the rim portion. The bag is secured to theframe by means of glue, clamps, sutures and any combination thereof.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 showing the container for perishablegoods in a collapsed position. Specifically, the Π-shaped members 220are nested within the rectangular frame 210. Container assemblageincludes only two manipulations. Specifically, in order to convert thecontainer into a serviceable condition, two Π-shaped members 220 shouldbe connected to the rectangular frame 210.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, presenting a specific embodiment of thepresent invention. The collapsible framework 300 is provided with asafety net 340 which is mounted underneath the bag. The safety netprevents the bag from rupture and the goods accommodated in the bag fromspillage. Additionally, each of two Π-shaped members comprises aplurality of parts 320 which are stack-mounted end wise. A height of thesupporting members can be adjusted by means of changing a number ofparts 320 which are stack-mounted end wise.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6 presenting a partial schematic view of acontainer 400 for perishable goods which are carried by two sheets 420and 430 of commercially available flexible material such as Nylon® orsimilar. The aforesaid sheets are downwardly housed into the rectangularframe 410. Both terminal portions 440 and 450 of sheets 420 and 430,respectively, are secured to the rectangular frame 410 by means oflooping terminal portions 440 and 450 around opposite side frameelements and welding them back to the sheets 420 and 430. Numbers 460and 470 refer to corresponding welding lines on the sheets 420 and 430,respectively. Any positions of welding lines 460 and 470 are in thescope of the present invention. A side gap between sheets 420 and 430provides the perishable goods with additional ventilation during storingor transportation.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 7-9, showing different welding patternsof orthogonally placed flexible sheets. The flexible sheets are weldedto each other to provide higher mechanical stability of the containerfor perishable goods. Specifically, in FIG. 7, a large portion 480 of acontainer bottom is welded. In FIG. 8, welded areas 490 are parallel tothe side elements of the frame 410. FIG. 9 presents spot-like weldingareas 500.

Reference is now made to FIG. 10 showing a photograph of an exemplarcontainer. Two orthogonally placed sheet of plastic 420 and 430. Theframe is supported by 4 legs 415.

In accordance with the present invention, a collapsible container forperishable goods is disclosed. The aforesaid container comprises (a) arectangular frame; (b) supporting members releasably connectable to therectangular frame; and (c) a bag downwardly housed into the rectangularframe and configured for accommodating the perishable goods.

It is a feature purpose of the invention to provide the rectangularframe supported by two supporting Π-shaped members connected to oppositesides of the frame by means of terminals thereof.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, thecontainer has collapsed and assembled positions. The collapsed positionis characterized by the supporting members nested within the frame; theassembled position is characterized by the supporting membersmechanically perpendicularly connected to the underside of therectangular frame.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the bagrim is mechanically secured to the perimeter of the rectangular framesuch that the portion for accommodating the goods is downwardly housedinto the rectangular frame.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a rimportion is bent over the perimeter and mechanically secured to outersurface of the main portion of the bag such that the portion foraccommodating the goods is downwardly housed into the rectangular frame.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, thecontainer comprises stacking means having male and female connectorsdisposed on a top surface of the rectangular frame and a lower surfaceof the supporting member.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, thesupporting members are height-adjustable and comprise a plurality ofparts stack-mounted end wise.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, thecontainer comprises a safety net mounted underneath the bag. The safetynet prevents the bag from rupture and the goods accommodated in the bagfrom spillage.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a methodof storing and transporting perishable goods is disclosed. The aforesaidmethod comprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of collapsiblecontainers for perishable goods; each container further comprising: (i)a rectangular frame; (ii) supporting members releasably connectable tothe rectangular frame; and (iii) a bag downwardly housed into therectangular frame and configured for accommodating the perishable goods;the rectangular frame is supportable by two supporting Π-shaped membersconnected to opposite sides of the frame by means of terminals thereof;(b) converting the containers from a collapsed position into anassembled position; (c) filling the assembled containers with theperishable goods; (d) stacking the filled containers in a storage areaor aboard; (e) storing or transporting the perishable goods; (f)emptying the perishable goods out of the containers; and (g) convertingthe containers from the assembled position into the collapsed position.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the stepof stacking the container comprises connecting male and femaleconnectors disposed on a top surface of the rectangular frame and alower surface of the supporting member.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, themethod comprises a step of adjusting height of the supporting members bymeans of changing a number of parts which are stack-mounted end wise.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, themethod comprises a step of preventing the bag from rupture and the goodsaccommodated in the bag from spillage by means of a safety net mountedunderneath the bag.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, acontainer for perishable goods is disclosed. The aforesaid containercomprises (a) a rectangular frame; and (b) legs releasably connectableto corners of said rectangular frame. The perishable goods are carriedby two orthogonally placed sheets of a flexible material secured toopposite side elements of said frame.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, eachsheet is secured to said rectangular frame by means of looping terminalsof said sheet around opposite side frame elements and welding saidterminals back to said sheet.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, theorthogonally are placed sheets are welded to each other.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a methodof producing a container for perishable goods is disclosed. Theaforesaid method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a rectangularframe; (b) providing two sheets of a flexible material; (c) securingsaid sheets to opposite side frame elements in an orthogonal manner; (d)providing legs connectable to corners of said rectangular frame; and (e)connecting said legs to said corners of said rectangular frame.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the stepof securing said sheets to said rectangular frame comprises loopingterminals of each sheet around opposite side frame elements and weldingsaid terminals back to said sheet such that said sheet is configured forcarrying said perishable goods.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, themethod comprises a step of welding orthogonally placed sheets to eachother.

1. A collapsible container for perishable goods; said containercomprising: a. a rectangular frame 110; b. supporting members 120releasably connectable to said rectangular frame; and c. a bag 230downwardly housed into the rectangular frame and configured foraccommodating said perishable goods; wherein said rectangular frame issupported by two supporting inverted Π-shaped members connected toopposite sides of said frame by means of legs of said members.
 2. Thecontainer according to claim 1 having collapsed and assembled positions;said collapsed position is characterized by said supporting membersnested within said frame; said assembled position is characterized bysaid supporting members mechanically perpendicularly connected to theunderside of the rectangular frame.
 3. The container according to claim1, wherein said bag rim is mechanically secured to said perimeter ofsaid rectangular frame such that said portion for accommodating saidgoods is downwardly housed into said rectangular frame.
 4. The containeraccording to claim 1, wherein a rim portion is bent over said perimeterand mechanically secured to outer surface of said main portion of saidbag such that said portion for accommodating said goods is downwardlyhoused into said rectangular frame.
 5. The container according to claim1 comprising stacking means having male and female connectors disposedon a top surface of said rectangular frame and a lower surface of saidsupporting member.
 6. The container according to claim 1, wherein saidsupporting members are height adjustable and comprise a plurality ofparts stack-mounted end wise.
 7. The container according to claim 1comprising a safety net mounted underneath said bag; said preventingsaid bag from rupture and said goods accommodated in the bag fromspillage.
 8. A method of storing and transporting perishable goods; saidmethod comprising the steps of: a. providing a plurality of collapsiblecontainers for perishable goods; each container further comprising: i. arectangular frame 110; ii. supporting members 120 releasably connectableto said rectangular frame; and iii. a bag 230 downwardly housed into therectangular frame and configured for accommodating said perishablegoods; said rectangular frame 110 is supportable by two supportingΠ-shaped members 120 connected to opposite sides of said frame by meansof terminals thereof. b. converting said containers from a collapsedposition into an assembled position; c. filling said assembledcontainers with said perishable goods; d. stacking said filledcontainers in a storage area or aboard; e. storing or transporting saidperishable goods; f. emptying said perishable goods out of saidcontainers; and g. converting said containers from said assembledposition into said collapsed position;
 9. The method according to claim8 having collapsed and assembled positions; said collapsed position ischaracterized by said supporting members nested within said frame; saidassembled position is characterized by said supporting membersmechanically perpendicularly connected to the underside of therectangular frame.
 10. The method according to claim 8, wherein saidframe is provided with said bag rim which is mechanically secured tosaid perimeter of said rectangular frame such that said portion foraccommodating said goods is downwardly housed into said rectangularframe.
 11. The method according to claim 8, wherein a rim portion ofsaid bag is bent over said perimeter and mechanically secured to outersurface of said main portion of said bag such that said portion foraccommodating said goods is downwardly housed into said rectangularframe.
 12. The method according to claim 8, wherein said step ofstacking said container comprises connecting male and female connectorsdisposed on a top surface of said rectangular frame and a lower surfaceof said supporting member.
 13. The method according to claim 8,comprising a step of adjusting height of said supporting members bymeans of changing a number of parts which are stack-mounted end wise.14. The method according to claim 8 comprising a step of preventing saidbag from rupture and said goods accommodated in the bag from spillage bymeans of a safety net mounted underneath said bag.
 15. A container forperishable goods; said container comprising: a. a rectangular frame; b.legs releasably connectable to corners of said rectangular frame;wherein said perishable goods are carried by two orthogonally placedsheets of a flexible material secured to opposite side elements of saidframe.
 16. The container according to claim 15, wherein each sheet issecured to said rectangular frame by means of looping terminals of saidsheet around opposite side frame elements and welding said terminalsback to said sheet.
 17. The container according to claim 15, whereinsaid orthogonally placed sheets are welded to each other.
 18. A methodof producing a container for perishable goods; said method comprisingthe steps of: a. providing a rectangular frame; b. providing two sheetsof a flexible material; c. securing said sheets to opposite side frameelements in an orthogonal manner; d. providing legs connectable tocorners of said rectangular frame; e. connecting said legs to saidcorners of said rectangular frame.
 19. The method according to claim 18,wherein said step of securing said sheets to said rectangular framecomprising looping terminals of each sheet around opposite side frameelements and welding said terminals back to said sheet such that saidsheet is configured for carrying said perishable goods.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 18 comprising a step of welding orthogonally placedsheets to each other.